Toggle Lever Closure

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a toggle lever closure, including a first closure element, a second closure element which is pivotable about a first pivot axis with respect to the first closure element in order to close the toggle lever closure, and a tensioning element which is connected in an articulated manner to the second closure element about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. At least one magnetic device acts between the first closure element and the second closure element and/or between the first closure element and the tensioning element.

The invention relates to a toggle lever closure according to thepreamble of claim 1.

A toggle lever closure of this type comprises a first closure element, asecond closure element which is pivotable about a first pivot axis withrespect to the first closure element in order to close the toggle leverclosure, and a tensioning element which is connected in an articulatedmanner to the second closure element about a second pivot axis spacedapart from the first pivot axis.

Toggle lever closures of this type have long been known from the priorart and can serve, for example, for tensioning a tensioning strap orelse for the firm closing of a ski boot or another sports shoe. In sucha toggle lever closure, the second closure element can be attached tothe first closure element in order to close the toggle lever closure,wherein, in order to open the toggle lever closure, the second closureelement is separable from the first closure element, and the firstclosure element and the second closure element can therefore be releasedfrom each other.

However, in another refinement, it is also possible to connect the firstclosure element and the second closure element to each other in anarticulated and nonreleasable manner, wherein, in this case, forexample, the tensioning element can be releasably connectable to atension element, for example a belt, a strap or another elementconfigured for transmitting tensile forces (this is frequently realized,for example, in the case of ski boots, in which a tensioning elementengages in a tension element in the manner of a toothed belt).

A toggle lever closure which, firstly, can easily be closed, byidentifying the parts to be attached to each other, and, secondly, isreliably held in the closed position is desirable. The toggle leverclosure is intended to be simple to operate, to permit hapticallypleasant opening and closing and to be able to ensure reliable grip.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a toggle leverclosure which, for a user, is operable in a simple manner, with reliablegrip in the closed position.

This object is achieved by a toggle lever closure with the features ofclaim 1.

According thereto, the toggle lever closure has at least one magneticdevice which acts between the first closure element and the secondclosure element and/or between the first closure element and thetensioning element.

The toggle lever closure is therefore of magnetic design, with themagnetic device being able to carry out different functions.

Firstly, the magnetic device can act, for example, between the firstclosure element and the second closure element in such a manner that,when the second closure element is attached to the first closureelement, the closure elements are identified in a simple, reliable andpositionally correct manner. In this case, the magnetic device thereforefacilitates the identifying of the closure elements for closing thetoggle lever closure.

Secondly, it is conceivable and possible for the magnetic device to actbetween the first closure element and the second closure element and/orbetween the first closure element and the tensioning element, andtherefore the toggle lever closure is reliably and resiliently held inits closed position. In this case, the magnetic device therefore acts inparticular for fixing in the closed position.

In one refinement, the second closure element is attachable to the firstclosure element in order to close the toggle lever closure and isremovable from the first closure element in order to open the togglelever closure. In this refinement of a toggle lever closure, the firstclosure element and the second closure element are therefore releasablefrom each other. Attaching of the second closure element to the firstclosure element and subsequent pivoting of the second closure elementrelative to the first closure element causes the tensioning element,which is connected in an articulated manner to the second closureelement, to be moved and thereby causes a tensile force to be exerted ona tension element adjoining the tensioning element, and therefore thetoggle lever closure is closed by tensioning the tensioning element. Forthe opening, the second closure element can be pivoted back in relationto the first closure element, and therefore the tension on thetensioning element is loosened. By removal of the second closure elementfrom the first closure element, the toggle lever closure is then opened.

In this refinement, the first closure element can have, for example, afastening element and the second closure element can have an engagementportion, wherein the engagement portion is attachable to the fasteningelement for the articulated connection of the second closure element tothe first closure element. The engagement portion can extend, forexample, longitudinally along the first axis of rotation and can berealized by a strut element which provides an axis of articulation forpivoting the second closure element with respect to the first closureelement. After the second closure element is attached to the firstclosure element, the engagement portion acts on the fastening element ofthe first closure element, wherein the engagement of the engagementportion with the fastening element is such that an articulatedconnection is created between the second closure element and the firstclosure element.

The second closure element can have an integral pivoting part on which,firstly, the engagement portion is arranged and on which, secondly, thetensioning element acts. The engagement portion and the second pivotaxis, about which the tensioning element is pivotable relative to thesecond closure element, are spaced apart from each other here, andtherefore, during pivoting of the second closure element relative to thefirst closure element, the tensioning element is moved and a tensionelement adjoining the tensioning element is thereby tensioned.

In one refinement, the second closure element can be configured by meansof a wire clip, in which the engagement portion is realized by means ofa transverse strut of the clip. The wire clip can be hooked into thefastening element, which is of hook-shaped design in this case, andtherefore, after the hooking-in, there is an articulated connectionbetween the second closure element and the first closure element.

In an alternative refinement, the second closure element can also beformed in two parts with parts which are movable with respect to eachother. The second closure element can thus have, for example, a pivotingpart and an attachment element which is connected in an articulatedmanner to the pivoting part. The tensioning element is connected in anarticulated manner to the pivoting part. By contrast, the attachmentelement can be attached to the first closure element and bears theengagement portion, and therefore, after the attachment element isattached to the first closure part, the attachment element is held in apositively locking manner on the first closure part and thereforeproduces a connection between the second closure element and the firstclosure element.

The attachment element can be designed, for example, as described in WO2014/180512 A1, the content of which is intended to be fullyincorporated here.

Alternatively, the attachment element can also be designed, for example,as described in WO 2014/090926 A1, the content of which is likewiseintended to be fully incorporated here.

In particular, the engagement portion can be extended rectilinearlyalong the first pivot axis. In this case, the engagement portion istherefore directed transversely with respect to a loading direction(directed perpendicularly to the pivot axes).

Alternatively, the engagement portion may, however, also be extended atan oblique angle with respect to the first pivot axis.

Again alternatively, the engagement portion can have a V shape, with twoportions which are extended at an angle to each other and in each caseobliquely with respect to the first pivot axis and together form a V.The tip of the V can point here in a loading direction, as is describedin WO 2014/090926 A1.

If the first closure element and the second closure element are attachedto each other (releasably) in order to close the toggle lever closure,the magnetic device can serve in particular to magnetically assist theattachment of the second closure element to the first closure element.For this purpose, the magnetic device can be designed in order, uponattachment, to draw the engagement portion of the second closure elementmagnetically into engagement with the fastening element of the firstclosure element. During the attaching of the second closure element tothe first closure element, the parts are therefore very substantiallyidentified automatically, and therefore the attaching is considerablysimplified for the user and a user in particular only needs to bring thesecond closure element close to the first closure element such that themagnetic device can then draw the engagement portion into engagementwith the fastening element.

In a specific refinement, a first magnetic element can be arranged onthe first closure element in the region of the fastening element, whilea second magnetic element is arranged on the second closure element inthe region of the engagement portion. The first and the second magneticelements can be designed here as a permanent magnet. However, it isconceivable and possible also for one of the magnetic elements to beformed by a permanent magnet and the other of the magnetic elements by aferromagnetic anchor, and therefore there is a magnetic attractionbetween the magnetic elements. If the engagement portion is brought intothe vicinity of the fastening element, the magnetic elements areattracted in such a manner that the engagement portion is drawn intoengagement with the fastening element and therefore the second closureelement is arranged in an articulated manner on the first closureelement.

If the second closure element is configured with an integral pivotingpart, the second closure element can therefore be pivoted about thefirst pivot axis. If the second closure element is formed in two partswith an attachment element and a pivoting part (which is pivotable aboutthe first pivot axis with respect to the attachment element), afterattachment the pivoting part can be pivoted relative to the attachmentelement.

If the second closure element is designed as a wire clip, it ispossible, for example, for the wire clip itself to have ferromagneticproperties, and therefore, upon attachment to the first closure element,the second closure element in the form of the wire clip is magneticallyattracted by the first closure element. Alternatively or additionally, acylindrical magnet or a cylindrical structural element withferromagnetic properties, which is attachable to the fastening elementof the first closure element, can be arranged on the second closureelement in the form of the wire clip.

In an alternative refinement of the toggle lever closure, as alreadyexplained at the beginning, the second closure element can be connectedto the first closure element in an articulated manner about the firstpivot axis, but nonreleasably. In this case, the second closure elementis therefore connected in an articulated manner to the first closureelement, wherein the articulated connection, however, cannot be releasedin order to open the toggle lever closure. In this case, the tensioningelement can have, for example, a connecting element, for example in theform of a hook or an eyelet, which is releasably connectable to atension element for transmitting tensile forces. By hooking of thetensioning element into the tension element and by subsequent pivotingof the second closure element with respect to the first closure element,the toggle lever closure can therefore be closed, by a tensioning effecton the tensioning element.

In an alternative refinement, the tensioning element can also be fixedlyconnected to the tension element. This applies to both basic refinementsof the toggle lever closure (i.e. in the case of a releasable connectionof the second closure element to the first closure element and in thecase of a nonreleasable connection of the second closure element to thefirst closure element). The tensioning element is therefore connectednonreleasably to the tension element, wherein, by pivoting of the secondclosure element relative to the first closure element, tension isbrought about on the tensioning element and, as a result, a tensileforce is exerted on the tension element.

In one refinement, in a closed position, the second closure element isarranged with respect to the first closure element in such a manner thatthe connecting element of the tensioning element and the second pivotaxis come to lie on different sides of the first pivot axis. In order toclose the toggle lever closure, the second closure element is pivotedrelative to the first closure element, and therefore the second closureelement is brought closer to the first closure element and the firstclosure element and the second closure element come to lie, for example,approximately on each other. The tensioning element is thereby drawn inthe pivoting direction and thus tensioned, and therefore tensile forcesare exerted on a tension element adjoining the tensioning element. Forexample, in the closed position, the second closure element can lie withits pivoting part against a body of the first closure element, andtherefore the second closure element takes up a defined positionrelative to the first closure element.

In this case, the magnetic device can in particular (also) serve forfixing the toggle lever closure in the closed position. For thispurpose, at a location which is spaced apart from the first pivot axis,the magnetic device can act in a magnetically attracting manner betweenthe first closure element and the second closure element or between thefirst closure element and the tensioning element, and therefore thetoggle lever closure is held in the closed position. Owing to the factthat the magnetic device acts at a distance from the first pivot axis,the magnetic fixing forces act with a lever arm with respect to thefirst pivot axis, with it being possible for the magnetic fixing to actbetween the first closure element and the second closure element or elsebetween the first closure element and the tensioning element.

The magnetic forces can be dimensioned here in such a manner that, inthe event of loading during operation, opening of the toggle leverclosure is not possible because of the loading forces which act on thetoggle lever closure. Opening is possible only by conscious actuation inorder to pivot back the second closure element relative to the firstclosure element.

Additionally or alternatively, a latching device can be provided whichmechanically latches the first closure element and the second closureelement (and/or the first closure element and the tensioning element) inthe closed position. An additional mechanical latching is thereforeprovided which holds the toggle lever closure in the closed position.

In one refinement, spring-mechanical pretensioning forces can actbetween the tensioning element and the second closure element andpretension the second closure element about the second pivot axis (aboutwhich the second closure element and the tensioning element areconnected in an articulated manner to each other) in relation to thetensioning element in the direction of a preferred position.

Such pretensioning can be brought about, for example by means of a legspring which acts about the second pivot axis.

However, such pretensioning can also be brought about by the fact thatthe second closure element, for example, has arms which are offset withrespect to each other along the second pivot axis and act on thetensioning element at different locations which are offset with respectto each other transversely with respect to the second pivot axis. Thearms are (very substantially) relaxed in a preferred position. However,if the second closure element is moved relative to the tensioningelement, bracing is brought about at the arms, which leads to springpretensioning.

In one embodiment, the second closure element has an operating elementwhich can be actuated in order to open the toggle lever closure. Theoperating element can be configured, for example, as a flexible, pliablerelease tab (for example a piece of tape) which can be pulled in orderto open the toggle lever closure. For example, in the closed position ofthe toggle lever closure, the operating element can project below thetensioning element in such a manner that pulling on the operatingelement can force the tensioning element to be raised and the secondclosure element to be released from the first closure element.

Another structure form of a closure device comprises a first closureelement which has a fastening element in the form of a hook, and asecond closure element in the form of a wire clip for attaching to thefastening element of the first closure element. It is provided here thatthe first closure element interacts in a magnetically attracting mannerwith the second closure element. A particularly simple closure istherefore created in which a second closure element in the form of awire clip for closing the closure is simply hooked into a hook-shapedfastening element of a first closure element. Magnetic forces actbetween the first closure element and the second closure element, andtherefore the attaching of the second closure element to the firstclosure element is magnetically assisted.

In one refinement, the first closure element can have a first magneticelement or can be manufactured at least in sections from a ferromagneticmaterial. Additionally or alternatively, the second closure element canhave a second magnetic element or can be manufactured at least insections from a ferromagnetic material. In each case, magneticallyattracting magnetic forces act between the first closure element and thesecond closure element. The attaching of the second closure element tothe first closure element is therefore magnetically assisted, and, inaddition, the grip of the second closure element on the first closureelement when the closure device is closed is magnetically secured.

Such a closure device can be part of a toggle lever closure, as has beendescribed above. In this context, reference should be made to what hasbeen explained above.

The concept on which the invention is based will be explained in moredetail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an orthopedic aid which is to befastened to the extremity of a patient via toggle lever closures;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of atoggle lever closure, during the closing;

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of the toggle lever closure in a closedposition;

FIG. 2D shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of atoggle lever closure, during the closing;

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the toggle lever closure, in aclosed position;

FIG. 3D shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 3C;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of atoggle lever closure, before the closing;

FIG. 4B shows a view of the toggle lever closure during the closing;

FIG. 4C shows a view of the toggle lever closure during the furtherclosing;

FIG. 4D shows a view of the toggle lever closure in a closed position;

FIG. 5A shows a schematic view for explaining the toggle lever closureaccording to FIGS. 4A to 4D;

FIG. 5B shows an enlarged view in the detail X according to FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C shows a top view for explaining the toggle lever closure;

FIG. 6A shows a view of a further exemplary embodiment of a toggle leverclosure, before the closing;

FIG. 6B shows a view of the toggle lever closure during the closing;

FIG. 6C shows a view of the toggle lever closure in a closed position;

FIG. 7A shows an exploded view of the toggle lever closure according toFIGS. 6A to 6C;

FIG. 7B shows a further exploded view of the toggle lever closureaccording to FIGS. 6A to 6C;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of atoggle lever closure; and

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of atoggle lever closure.

FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic view, an orthopedic aid 3 in the form of asplint which can be attached to the extremity of a patient, in theexample illustrated to the leg B of the patient, and serves, forexample, as a knee or foot orthosis. For this purpose, the orthopedicaid 3 is attached to the leg B and fixed via a plurality of tensionelements 2 in the form of tapes by using toggle lever closures 1.

Various exemplary embodiments of such toggle lever closures 1 will beexplained below, wherein reference should already be made here to thefact that such toggle lever closures can be used in an entirelydifferent manner and to this extent are not restricted to the use oforthopedic aids. Toggle lever closures 1 can be used, for example, ingeneral for tensioning a strap or belt, for example as a closure of acontainer or else as a closure for a sports shoe, for example a skiboot.

In an exemplary embodiment of a toggle lever closure 1 that isillustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D, a first closure element 10 has a body 100which is fastened, for example, fixedly to an object, for example to anorthopedic aid 3 according to FIG. 1. From the body 100 protrudes afastening element 101 to which a second closure element 11 can beattached in such a manner that an engagement portion 112 of the secondclosure element 11 comes to lie against a sliding surface 104, which isbounded by a projection 102, of the fastening element 101 and thereforecreates an articulated connection between the second closure element 11and the first closure element 10. A tensioning element 12 (in the formof a clip in the exemplary embodiment illustrated) is attached in anarticulated manner to the second closure element 11 via ends 121,wherein a tension element 2, for example in the form of a tape or strap,can be attached to a connecting element 120 which is remote from thesecond closure element 11 and is in the form of a clip-type strut.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the second closure element 11and the first closure element 10 are releasable from each other. Inorder to close the toggle lever closure 1, the second closure element 11is attached by the engagement portion 112 to the fastening element 111,and therefore the engagement portion 112 comes to lie with a slidingsurface 114 on the sliding surface 104 of the fastening element 101.After the attaching, the second closure element 11 is pivotable about afirst pivot axis D1 in relation to the first closure element 10, as isillustrated in the transition from FIGS. 2A and B to FIGS. 2C and D.

When the second closure element 11 is attached to the first closureelement 10, the fastening element 101 of the first closure element 10comes into engagement with an opening 111 on a pivoting part 110 of thesecond closure element 11. The attaching of the second closure element11 to the first closure element 10 and the identifying of the engagementportion 112 with the fastening element 101 is magnetically assisted hereby magnetic elements 103, 113 which are arranged, firstly, in the regionof the fastening element 101 on the body 100 of the first closureelement 10 and, secondly, in the region of the engagement portion 112 onthe second closure element 11, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2B.The magnetic elements 103, 113 are opposite each other in a magneticallyattracting manner, and therefore the engagement portion 112 isautomatically drawn into engagement with the fastening element 101 andin particular the sliding surfaces 104, 114 enter into contact with eachother.

By contrast, the tensioning element 12 is pivotable about a second pivotaxis D2 in relation to the second closure element 11. By pivoting of thesecond closure element 11 in relation to the first closure element 10,the tensioning element 12 is carried along, and therefore a tensileforce is exerted on the tension element, which is attached to thetensioning element 12, and therefore the tension element 2 is tensioned.

In the closed position, illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the secondclosure element 11 with the pivoting part 110 is in contact with thebody 100 of the first closure element 10. In the closed position, thesecond pivot axis D2 comes to lie on a first side of the fasteningelement 101 while the connecting element 120 of the tensioning element12, on which the tension element 2 acts, is arranged on another, secondside of the fastening element 101. The second pivot axis D2 and theconnecting element 120 are therefore arranged on different sides of thefastening element 101.

A magnetic element 103′ is arranged on the body 100 of the first closureelement 10 (in addition to the magnetic element 103), said magneticelement 103′ in the closed position lying in a magnetically attractingmanner opposite a magnetic element 113′ (additional to the magneticelement 113) on the pivoting part 110 of the second closure element 11.The second closure element 11 is therefore magnetically held in theclosed position, and therefore the position of the second closureelement 11 in relation to the first closure element 10 is thereby fixedin the closed position.

The magnetic attraction is preferably dimensioned in such a manner thatan unintentional release, in particular under the action of a loadacting on the tensioning element 12 via the tension element 2, is notreadily possible, at any rate not without conscious opening of thesecond closure element 11.

For the opening, the second closure element 11 can be pivoted back outof the position illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D into the positionillustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B such that the magnetic elements 103′,113′ are separated from each other. The closure elements 10, 11 can thenbe removed from each other such that the connection between the closureelements 10, 11 is released.

In an exemplary embodiment of a toggle lever closure 1 that isillustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the second closure element 11 is realizedas a wire clip which can be attached to a fastening element 101 in theform of a hook of a first closure element 10.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a magnetic element 103 isarranged on the fastening element 101 in the region of the slidingsurface 104, said magnetic element 103, when the second closure element11 is attached, facing a magnetic element 113 on a transverse strut 116of the second closure element 11. The magnetic element 113 can bedesigned as a permanent magnet or else as a ferromagnetic component andis opposite the magnetic element 103 on the fastening element 101 in amagnetically attracting manner.

It is conceivable here to configure the magnetic element 103 of thefastening element 101 as a permanent magnet. In this case, the magneticelement 113 can be configured as a permanent magnet or else as aferromagnetic component.

However, it is also conceivable to design the magnetic element 103 as aferromagnetic component. In this case, the magnetic element 113 isrealized by a permanent magnet.

If the magnetic element 103 is designed as a permanent magnet, aseparate cylindrical magnetic element 113 can optionally also be omittedif the wire clip realizing the second closure element 11 is manufacturedfrom a ferromagnetic material and thus itself interacts in amagnetically attracting manner with the magnetic element 103.

Remotely from the magnetic element 113, the second closure element 11 inthe form of the wire clip is connected in an articulated manner to atensioning element 12 on which a tension element 2, for example in theform of a strap or tape, is arranged. The toggle lever closure 1 servesfor tensioning the tensioning element 12 by the second closure element11, as is illustrated in the transition between FIGS. 3A and 3B to FIGS.3C and 3D, being pivoted about the first pivot axis D1 in relation tothe first closure element 10.

In the closed position, illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the secondclosure element 11 in the form of the wire clip is pivoted toward alatching device 105 on the body 100 of the first closure element in sucha manner that a transverse strut 115 of the second closure element 11enters into engagement with a latching recess 106 of the latching device105 and the second closure element 11 is therefore held in position in alatching manner with respect to the first closure element 10.

In the closed position, the second closure element 11 is thereforelatched to the first closure element 10. The tensioning element 12 isalso held in position via the second closure element 11, and thereforethe toggle lever closure 1 is fixed in its closed position.

In order to release the toggle lever closure 1, the second closureelement 11 can be released from the latching, and therefore the secondclosure element 11 can be pivoted out of the position according to FIGS.3C and 3D in the direction of the position according to FIGS. 3A and 3Bin order then for the second closure element 11 to be removed from thefirst closure element 10 and for the toggle lever closure 1 to beopened.

A closure device of the type illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D can also beused without a tensioning element 12. In this case, the closure is notconfigured as a toggle lever closure, but rather as a simple closure, inwhich a second closure element 11 is hooked in a simple manner into thefastening element 101 of the first closure element 10 in order to closethe closure device and the grip of the closure elements 10, 11 on eachother is mechanically secured.

In this case, a latching device is not required. The closure is closedby simple hooking of the second closure element 11 into the firstclosure element 10.

In an exemplary embodiment of a toggle lever closure 1 that isillustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the second closure element 11 is formedin two parts. The second closure element 11 has an attachment element117 which can be designed as described in WO 2014/180512 A1, the contentof which is intended to be fully incorporated here.

A pivoting part 110 is connected in an articulated manner pivotablyabout the first pivot axis D1—to the attachment element 117, saidpivoting part being extended with arms 118, 119 from the attachmentelement 117 and being connected to a connecting portion 123 of atensioning element 12 via said arms 118, 119.

In order to close the toggle lever closure 1, the attachment element 117is attached to the first closure element 10 such that the attachmentelement 117 enters with an engagement portion 112 into engagement in thefastening element 101 and the projection 112 arranged thereon, as isillustrated in FIG. 4B. The attachment element 117 comes to lie herebetween the fastening element 101 and a blocking element 107 in the formof a projection on the body 100 of the first closure element 10, andtherefore the position of the attachment element 117 on the firstclosure element 10 is defined.

Both the attachment element 117 and the body 100 of the first closureelement 10 each have a magnetic element here, and therefore theattachment element 117 is attached to the body 100 in a magneticallyassisted manner. The attachment element 117 is attracted by the body100, and therefore the attachment element 117 enters in a magneticallyassisted manner into the position illustrated in FIG. 4B.

If the attachment element 117 has been attached to the first closureelement 10, the pivoting part 110 can be pivoted about the first pivotaxis D1 in relation to the attachment element 117 in order thereby totension the tensioning element 12 with the tension element 2 arrangedthereon, as is illustrated in the transition from FIG. 4B to FIG. 4D.

The pivoting part 110 is pivoted here in a pivoting direction S1 aboutthe first pivot axis D1 in relation to the attachment element 117 andtherefore in relation to the first closure element 10, wherein thetensioning element 12 is pivoted in a pivoting direction S2 about thesecond pivot axis D2 in relation to the pivoting part 110, as isapparent in the transition from FIG. 4B to FIG. 4D. The tension element2 on the tensioning element 12 is carried along in the process and istherefore tensioned.

A handle 122 on which a user can act, in order to close the toggle leverclosure 1 or else to open same again, is mounted on the tensioningelement 12. A user can thus pull on the handle 142 for opening purposesand can therefore lift the tensioning element 12 such that the pivotingpart 110 is pivoted back about the first pivot axis D1 and also thetensioning element 12 is pivoted about the pivot axis D2.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the arms 118,119 of the pivoting part 110, via which arms the attachment element 117is connected to the tensioning element 12, are not extended parallel toeach other, but rather run at an angle to each other, as is illustratedin FIGS. 5A to 5C. As is apparent from the enlarged view according toFIG. 5B, the arms 118, 119 thus act with their ends 118A, 118B on theconnecting portion 123 of the tensioning element 12 at a distance Atransversely with respect to the (virtual in this case) second pivotaxis D2, which leads to the pivoting part 110 being pretensioned into apreferred position.

In said preferred position, illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the arms118, 119 are very substantially relaxed. During pivoting of the pivotingpart 110 relative to the tensioning element 12 about the second pivotaxis D2, the arms 118, 119 are deformed, which leads to tensioningforces on the arms 118, 119, said tensioning forces attempting to resetthe pivoting part 110 in the direction of the preferred position.

The ends 118A, 119A can act here on the tensioning element 12, forexample in mutually offset openings on both sides of the connectingportion 123, and therefore the arms 118, 119 are held via their ends118A, 119A at a distance A from each other on the connecting portion123.

The pivoting part 110 can also be pretensioned in relation to thetensioning element 12 in another way, for example via a leg spring whichacts about the second pivot axis D2 and pretensions the pivoting part110 in the direction of a preferred position in relation to thetensioning element 12.

In the case of an exemplary embodiment of a toggle lever closure 1 thatis illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C and 7A, 7B, an engagement element 117(which is configured similarly as in the exemplary embodiment accordingto FIGS. 4A to 4D) is attached to a first closure element 10 for closingthe toggle lever closure 1 and thereby enters into engagement with afastening element 101 of the first closure element 10. Via a blockingelement 107 in the form of a projection on the body 100 of the firstclosure element 10, the position of the attachment element 117 to therear of the fastening element 101 is also defined by the attachmentelement 117 being accommodated between the fastening element 101 and theblocking element 107.

The first closure element 10 has a magnetic element 103, as is apparentfrom FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the attachment element 117 likewise has amagnetic element (not visible in the figures), and therefore, during theattaching, the attachment element 117 is drawn magnetically intoengagement with the fastening element 101.

Both the first closure element 10 and the attachment element 117 canhave a magnetic element in the form of a permanent magnet here. However,it is also conceivable and possible for one of the elements to have apermanent magnet and the other of the elements to have a ferromagneticanchor.

The closing of the toggle lever closure 1 takes place entirelyanalogously as described previously for the exemplary embodimentaccording to FIGS. 4A to 4D. By pivoting of the pivoting part 110 aboutthe first pivot axis D1 relative to the attachment element 117 andtherefore relative to the first closure element 10, and by simultaneouspivoting of the tensioning element 12 about the second pivot axis D2relative to the pivoting part 110, the toggle lever closure 1 passesinto the closed position according to FIG. 6C in which the tensioningelement 12 substantially lies on the first closure element 10 andtherefore a tension element 2 acting on the tensioning element 12 (seeFIG. 6A) is tensioned.

A latching device 124 in the form of two hooks is formed on a connectingportion 123, to which the pivoting part 110 of the second closureelement 11 is attached in an articulated manner about the second pivotaxis D2, said hooks, in the closed position of the toggle lever closure1, being in engagement with a latching device 105 in the form of twolatching recesses 106 of the first closure element 10 such that thetensioning element 12 is latched in relation to the first closureelement 10. The toggle lever closure 1 is therefore secured in theclosed position and cannot readily, at any rate not unintentionally, beopened under the action of load forces on the tension element 2.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, an operating element 13 in theform of a release tab, on which a user can pull in order to open thetoggle lever closure 1, is arranged on the attachment element 117. Bylifting of the tensioning element 12 by way of a handle 122 and bypulling on the operating element 13, the toggle lever closure 1 can beopened and the attachment element 117 released from the first closureelement 10.

It is also conceivable and possible here, in a modified refinement, notto provide any handle 122 on the tensioning element 12, but rather toallow the operating element 13 to project below the tensioning element12 in the closed position. Then, by pulling on the operating element 13,in one movement sequence the tensioning element 12 can be lifted and theattachment element 117 released from the first closure element 10.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the engagement portion 112is extended rectilinearly along the first pivot axis D1. However, thisis not limiting. Other configurations of the engagement portion 112 arealso conceivable.

For example, the engagement portion 112 can form a V shape, as isillustrated schematically in FIG. 8. In this case, the engagementportion 112 can enter into engagement with a fastening element 101likewise of V-shaped design on the first closure element 10 and can thusproduce a positively locking connection with a second closure element 11which is fitted onto the first closure element 10.

In this case, the attachment element can be designed as is described,for example, in WO 2014/090926 A1.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the second closure element11 is to be (releasably) attached to the first closure element 10 inorder to close the toggle lever closure 1. During the opening of thetoggle lever closure 1, the second closure element 11 can be removedfrom the first closure element 10 in order thereby to release theconnection between the second closure element 11 and the first closureelement 10.

In another refinement, illustrated schematically in FIG. 9, it is alsoconceivable, however, to connect the second closure element to the firstclosure element 10 in an articulated, but nonreleasable, manner aboutthe first pivot axis D1. The tensioning element 12 can act here on thesecond closure element 11, for example in an articulated and likewisenonreleasable manner pivotably about the second pivot axis D2, whereinthe tensioning element 12 can be connectable releasably to the tensionelement 2, for example by the tensioning element 12 being hooked into ahook 20 of the tension element 2. A toggle lever closure 1 is againprovided, in which, by pivoting of the second closure element 11,tensioning forces can be exerted on the tension element 2.

It is also conceivable, in a modified refinement, in the exemplaryembodiment according to FIG. 9, to configure the connection of thetensioning element 12 to the tension element 2 to be nonreleasable. Inthis case, by closing of the toggle lever closure 1, tensioning can bebrought about which can be relaxed by opening of the toggle leverclosure 1 without, however, parts in this case being released from oneanother.

The concept on which the invention is based is not restricted to theexemplary embodiments described above, but rather can basically also berealized in an entirely different manner.

A toggle lever closure of the type described here is usable in anentirely different manner for the tensioning connection of parts to oneanother. One application can reside in the fastening of an orthopedicaid, for example an orthosis, to a patient, wherein, in this case, theorthopedic aid is arranged on an extremity of the patient in a tensionedmanner by means of one or more toggle lever closures. However, a togglelever closure of the type described here can also be used, for example,for closing a container, for example a crate or a bag, or for closing asports shoe, for example a ski boot.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Toggle lever closure-   10 Closure element-   100 Body-   101 Fastening element-   102 Projection-   103, 103′ Magnetic element-   104 Sliding surface-   105 Latching device-   106 Latching recess-   107 Blocking element (projection)-   11 Closure element-   110 Pivoting part-   111 Opening-   112 Engagement portion-   113, 113′ Magnetic element-   114 Sliding surface-   115, 116 Transverse strut-   117 Attachment element-   118, 119 Arm-   118A, 119A End-   12 Tensioning element-   120 Connecting element (clip)-   121 Ends-   122 Handle-   123 Connecting portion-   124 Latching device-   13 Engagement element (release tab)-   2 (Flexible) tension element (tape)-   20 Hook-   3 Object (splint element)-   A Distance-   B Limb (leg)-   D1, D2 Pivot axis-   S1, S2 Pivoting direction

1. A toggle lever closure, comprising a first closure element, a secondclosure element which is pivotable about a first pivot axis with respectto the first closure element in order to close the toggle lever closure,a tensioning element which is connected in an articulated manner to thesecond closure element about a second pivot axis spaced apart from thefirst pivot axis, and at least one magnetic device which acts betweenthe first closure element and the second closure element and/or betweenthe first closure element and the tensioning element.
 2. The togglelever closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second closure elementis attachable to the first closure element in order to close the togglelever closure and is removable from the first closure element in orderto open the toggle lever closure.
 3. The toggle lever closure as claimedin claim 2, wherein the first closure element has a fastening elementand the second closure element has an engagement portion, wherein theengagement portion is attachable to the fastening element for thearticulated connection of the second closure element the first closureelement.
 4. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 3, wherein theengagement portion is formed by a strut element extending longitudinallyalong the first axis of rotation.
 5. The toggle lever closure as claimedin claim 3, wherein the second closure element has a pivoting part andan attachment element which is connected in an articulated manner to thepivoting part, is attachable to the first closure element and on whichthe engagement portion is formed.
 6. The toggle lever closure as claimedin claim 3, wherein the engagement portion is extended along the firstpivot axis, at an oblique angle with respect to the first pivot axis orin a V-shaped manner.
 7. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 3,wherein the magnetic device is designed in order, upon attachment, todraw the engagement portion magnetically into engagement with thefastening element.
 8. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 3,wherein a first magnetic element is arranged in the region of thefastening element and a second magnetic element is arranged in theregion of the engagement portion, wherein the first magnetic element andthe second magnetic element are designed in order, upon attachment, todraw the engagement portion magnetically into engagement with thefastening element.
 9. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 1,wherein the second closure element is connected to the first closureelement in an articulated manner about the first pivot axis andnonreleasably.
 10. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 1,wherein the tensioning element has a connecting element which is fixedlyconnected or releasably connectable to a tension element fortransmitting tensile forces.
 11. The toggle lever closure as claimed inclaim 10, wherein a closed position, the second closure element isarranged with respect to the first closure element in such a manner thatthe connecting element of the tensioning element and the second pivotaxis come to lie on different sides of the first pivot axis.
 12. Thetoggle lever closure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first closureelement has a first body and the second closure element has a secondbody, wherein, in the closed position of the toggle lever closure, thefirst body and the second body are in contact with each other at leastin sections.
 13. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 11wherein, at a location which is spaced apart from the first pivot axis,the magnetic device acts in a magnetically attracting manner between thefirst closure element and the second closure element or between thefirst closure element and the tensioning element in order to hold thetoggle lever closure the closed position.
 14. The toggle lever closureas claimed in claim 11, further comprising a latching device which isdesigned to mechanically latch the first closure element and the secondclosure element to each other in the closed position.
 15. The togglelever closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tensioning element isprestressed in relation to the second closure element about the secondpivot axis in the direction of a preferred position.
 16. The togglelever closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second closure elementhas arms which are offset with respect to each other along the secondpivot axis and act on the tensioning element at different locationsoffset with respect to each other transversely with respect to thesecond pivot axis.
 17. The toggle lever closure as claimed in claim 1,further comprising an operating element, which is arranged on the secondclosure element, for opening the toggle lever closure.
 18. A closuredevice, comprising a first closure element which has a fastening elementin the form of a hook, and a second closure element in the form of awire clip for attaching to the fastening element of the first closureelement, wherein the first closure element interacts with the secondclosure element in a magnetically attracting manner.
 19. The closuredevice as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first closure element has afirst magnetic element or is manufactured at least in sections from aferromagnetic material, and/or the second closure element has a secondmagnetic element or is manufactured at least in sections from aferromagnetic material.